In Jan. 2004, Congress estab. the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) to administer the Millennium Challenge Account. MCC's mission is to promote econ. growth & reduce extreme poverty in developing countries. MCC must rely on quantitative criteria in determining countries' eligibility for assistance. MCC will provide assistance primarily through compacts -- agree. with country gov'ts. MCC aims to be one of the top donors in countries with which it signs compacts. For FY 2004 & 2005, MCC received $2.5 billion; for FY 2006, $3 billion. This report monitors MCC's: (1) process for determining country eligibility, (2) progress in developing compacts, (3) coord. with key stakeholders, & (4) estab. of mgmt. structures & accountability mechanisms. Illus.

Established in January 2004 with a mission to reduce poverty through economic growth, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has committed $6.9 billion for compacts with 19 developing countries. MCC vests compact management with accountable entities in recipient countries, called Millennium Challenge Accounts (MCA). MCAs, with guidance from MCC, allocate resources, oversee and implement a financial plan, approve expenditures and procurements, and implement compact projects. This report, directed by the fiscal year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act, assesses MCC and MCA (1) financial controls; (2) procurement practices; and (3) development, implementation, and oversight of contracts and projects. GAO focused on financial and procurement transactions and projects at MCAs in Honduras, Georgia, and Cape Verde, countries with high disbursement totals as of the end of fiscal year 2008.